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So, the feat Superior Summoning (requirements: Augment Summoning, which requires Spell Focus: Conjuration) says that each time you cast a summoning spell that conjures more than one creature, add one to the total number of creatures summoned.
So that means, with, say, Summon Monster IV, you could summon 1 monster off of the 4 list, 1d3+1 from the 3 list, or 1d4+2 from the 2 list.
I was looking at the math, and it seems to me that for summoning beatsticks (so we're not looking at SLAs here) for a given level of summon it's almost always best to summon from the second-best level if they can all get at the enemy. (In hallways these rules cease to apply.)
EDIT: It seems we have to include "no damage resistance" for this to be true, as well.
Assume 1d3+1 results in a 3, and that we have Augment Summoning (I've figured this into the math already). Let's also assume that all 3 can charge one enemy, which makes sense considering you can summon them anywhere within 25ft + 10ft/2 levels - or, failing that, they can attack different enemies. Here are some of the best beaters on the Summon Monster IV list and their attacks:
Lion - bite +9 (1d8+7 plus grab), 2 claws +9 (1d4+7), pounce, rake (2 claws +9, 1d4+7) - on a charge gets 5 attacks for avg 49.5 if all hit on a charge, or 30.5 on a full attack if all hit
Bear - 2 claws +9 (1d6+7 plus grab), bite +9 (1d6+7) - avg 31.5 if all hit
Hound Archon - bite +10 (1d8+5), slam +10 (1d4+3) or mwk greatsword +11/+6 (2d6+5), bite +5 (1d8+3) - avg 15 with natural, 31.5 with sword & bite
Compare that to the best of the Summon Monster III list:
Leopard - bite +7 (1d6+5 plus grab), 2 claws +7 (1d3+5), pounce, rake (2 claws +7, 1d3+5) - avg 36.5 on a charge if all hit, or 22.5 on a full attack if all hit
Crocodile - bite +7 (1d8+6 plus grab) and tail slap +2 (1d12+3);
Special Attack - death roll (1d8+9 plus trip) - avg 17 on a regular full attack if all hit
Now, obviously, a single lion will hit with more of its attacks than a single leopard. However, a charging lion gets 5 attacks at +9, but 3 charging leopards get 15 attacks at +7 - obviously the leopards will hit more times total. Suppose half of the lion's attacks hit, and a third of each leopard's attacks hit (which is favorable for the lion): the lion would deal ~25 damage, and the leopards ~37. On defense, a lion has AC 15 and 42 hp; each leopard has AC 15 and 25, for a total of 75 between three of them.
What do you guys think? Also, did I screw up the math anywhere? (Entirely possible - I just got finished with a mechanical engineering final and my brain is still sizzling slightly)
PS: Comparing a dire lion (bite +14 (1d8+9 plus grab), 2 claws +14 (1d6+9), pounce, rake (2 claws +14, 1d6+9)) and 1d4+2 (avg 4.5) leopards: avg 63.5 if all hit for the dire lion, 155.25 if all hit for the leopards - but the dire lion has double the attack bonus of the leopards. Plus rolling 20+ attacks is a real headache.
EDIT: Noticed I did miss something - charging gets you a +2 on the attack, which I assume transfers to all the attacks in a pounce. I didn't include this in the math above, but it should favor the multiple creature case, since it lowers the difference in attack bonus between them and the single, bigger monster.
EDIT 2: Also forgot about applying the Celestial/Fiendish templates, which I think would also favor the smaller creatures, but not sure about this one.
I think summoning the lower level creature is better almost every time. There might be a situation where one creature is better, but generally it will not be the cast.
Even if the leopards don't do any damage they are still taking up more space and keeping the bad guy from moving closer to the caster.
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Consider the stampede ability as well. 3 aurochs are superior to 1 bison. There is plenty of use for more lesser summons.
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This actually reminds me of something I've been wondering about the wording of Superior Summoning - do you get the extra creature if you roll a "1" on your d3? You aren't actually getting multiple creatures to add 1 to.
I think it should grant the extra creature, btw. I'm just not sure that it's very clear.
A downside might be that creatures that are less strong are more vulnerable to area attacks and with less HD they might have less resistances or DR. You already mentioned potential DR of the opponent which might skew in favor of a single strong creature, space limitations also might be troublesome
Usually it is better though
I generally agree that (especially at higher levels) summoning more than one creature at a time is a better deal. As Wraithstrike said, more meatshields is generally always good, and since each creature can aid another, if you get lucky and summong like 5-6 monsters in one go, you can have them crowd around your PCs to prevent enemies from flanking, while using Aid Another to skyrocket AC or Attack rolls; and the enemy has to waste actions to kill them off.
Other useful uses for them include soaking attacks of opportunity. Let them charge into enemy lines before your allies. Either the enemies let them pass unmolested and thus become surrounded, or they attack the summons and use up their AoOs.
Likewise, interjecting summons provides those behind them light cover (+4 AC) vs attacks. This is especially useful as you can create living walls that provide cover from your enemies. Light cover also protects against AoOs, so a wizard with a summon between him and his foe will never provoke for casting (the foe simply cannot make an AoO against the wizard while the foe provides cover). It's a good way to get wounded PCs out of harm's way. Have a horde of summons all take total defense actions and then run between wounded PCs and the enemies. Or have them all run to the wounded PC and begin using Aid Another to boost their AC through the roof.
Some monsters also have SLAs. Summoning 1d3+1 dretches can be fun, as each dretch can cast stinking cloud a few times. While the save DC is low, nobody wants to be in a stinking cloud; and you can layer them (bombing an area with 2-5 stinking clouds means anyone inside the area is going to have to save multiple times). Good means of funneling enemies really effectively, and screwing up archers and the like.
If you're an Abyssal Sorcerer, you also get an ability at 15th level that allows you to summon +1 monster with any of your summoning spells. Combined with superior summoning, you can summon 3 top-tier monsters at once time.
This actually reminds me of something I've been wondering about the wording of Superior Summoning - do you get the extra creature if you roll a "1" on your d3? You aren't actually getting multiple creatures to add 1 to.
I think it should grant the extra creature, btw. I'm just not sure that it's very clear.
The RAW isn't very clear, but I think the RAI is - that you always get that +1. If for no other reason than it would be a cruel case of adding insult to injury. :)
Add one more vote for using the lower version of SM.
So, if you are using summons as melee brutes, I agree 100%.
The exception is when you need a specific thing done. A large air elemental can whirlwind a medium creatures, but lots of small air elementals can't.
In short, it's a decent guideline, but you can break it when you need a particular ability.
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I once summoned a trio of aurochs and had them trample a graveknight. He used combat reflexes and killed each one with single strikes before they could charge over him. I was SO disappointed. :(
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I had a player road test the same strategy some time ago and the result is: lower levels (Summon Monster II- IV) yes, it's better to summon lower levels creatures; they make for excellent meatshields and can actually do some damage.
Higher levels (Summon Monster V - IX) go for the best choice right off the bat; facing enemies that need extra resources on the players' side means that these same enemies are strong enough to mop the floor with lower summons without breaking a sweat - and possibly even without wasting too many resources/actions. Go with two of the best summons you can gather (powered up by the feats) and don't worry anylonger.
I had a player road test the same strategy some time ago and the result is: lower levels (Summon Monster II- IV) yes, it's better to summon lower levels creatures; they make for excellent meatshields and can actually do some damage.
Higher levels (Summon Monster V - IX) go for the best choice right off the bat; facing enemies that need extra resources on the players' side means that these same enemies are strong enough to mop the floor with lower summons without breaking a sweat - and possibly even without wasting too many resources/actions. Go with two of the best summons you can gather (powered up by the feats) and don't worry anylonger.
could you provide examples? looking at the lists this does not seems to be the case to me.
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That was during a run of Kingmaker (done without the kingdom management part, as the players were not interested in becoming public personalities).
While really specific examples currently defy my mnemonic abilities, I can remember that the first time that lower level summons showed serious inefficiency was during the battle at Tatzlford, when the advanced trolls literally ripped apart the four celestial dire wolves that were summoned through SM V (using the SM IV list).
The same situation showed up again with the battle against the boggards - can't remember the creature summoned, but that boggard cleric with a bunch of minions made woefully short work of the summons.
Afterwards, there were only summons of the highest type available.
But otherwise, summoning more monsters is usually the way to go. What Superior Summons does is increase your output by 50% (average 3 instead of 4) /and/ relieve you of the embarrassing possibility of rolling a 1 on your d3. It's really a powerful feat, so it makes perfect sense that it's third in a feat chain.
Doug M.
This is where one of the perhaps-not-immediately-obvious advantages of the Master Summoner lies: because he gets Augment Summoning for free, without needing to take Spell Focus (Conjuration), Superior Summons is accessible at level 3 without a feat tax. Pretty awesome.
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Ah, I imagine it's best if you focus all your fire on one enemy. Then, they either have to spend at least a turn or two killing them, take several AoO and go around them, or, if some friends arrive to deal with the summons in one turn, become susceptible to attacks with a large area.
Also, an augmented Dire Wolf has 47 HP and AC 14. A dire lion has AC 15 and 76 HP; a bearded devil AC19 and 79 HP; a Bralani Azata AC 20 and 80 hp; an Ankylosaurus AC22 and 95 HP. So I think it depends on the creature; a dire lion probably won't live longer than 2 or 3 dire wolves, but there's definitely a case for summoning an Ankylosaurus instead.
Keep in mind also that a lot of the Good or Evil creatures have DR or resistances, which are more effective on multiple creatures.
PS: Can't wait till I can cast 6th level spells so I can summon 2-4 Ankylosaurs. :D
This actually reminds me of something I've been wondering about the wording of Superior Summoning - do you get the extra creature if you roll a "1" on your d3? You aren't actually getting multiple creatures to add 1 to.
I think it should grant the extra creature, btw. I'm just not sure that it's very clear.
I don't think it does. And I'm not sure I'd want it to. Rolling a 1 on that d3 and getting absolutely nothing out of your lower level selection and feat would be the risk in using the feat all the time. And boy would it feel awful. But when the feat works, it's pretty good, so...not sure I should care.